PENCOED CASTLE, Llanmartin, Gwent 1997

At its core this is a small medieval castle, enlarged and grandiose, but after 1750s the house began its slow decline with much work left incomplete and further restoration abandoned after a fire in the mid 1950s.

Many uses have been proposed, even a theme park, but it remains ever derelict but not yet beyond repair. It is made up of a vast range of rooms and extensions but Pencoed was a surprising find, not due to its size or castle/house-like features but more due to its prime location and the fact it is empty, unused and quickly deteriorating. Large gate house stands imposing before the house.